Small Restaurant Interior Design Ideas That Increase Client Satisfaction

Restaurants come in all shapes and sizes, some so big you can get lost in them, and others so small that they make interior design a challenge. But if you believe in your concept, your team, and your food, you can overcome any size problems!

In this article, you will find a variety of small restaurant interior design ideas that will help you create a comfortable and pleasant ambiance. Learn how to become the most appreciated small restaurant in your area.

9 Small Restaurant Interior Design Ideas

Even if your restaurant’s space is small, with well-thought-out seating, good use of color and lighting, and useful technology, you can turn it into an inviting establishment that customers will come back to.

1. Make a good first impression with a well-organized entrance

You only get one chance at a first impression, be it for passers-by or people who have already made a reservation. If you want to attract customers and make them feel comfortable, you need a well-organized entrance with:

• A waiting area: That can be outside, protected from the changing weather conditions, if there is no space inside;
• A visible menu: Ideally, a QR code one that will not take up extra space and will allow people to decide on what to eat before they are even seated;
• Photo opportunities: A decorated door or other stand-out décor elements will persuade people to take pictures of your restaurant before they can even place an order.

Read more: Restaurant Entrance Ideas to Create an Unforgettable Experience

2. Master the art of flexible seating

One of the most common issues regarding small restaurant interior design ideas is the seating. How can you add as many seats as possible to serve more customers without making the space feel crowded?

Here are some seating ideas to implement at your small restaurant:

• Communal tables: Having 2-3 large communal tables is typical for family-owned restaurants that promote client interaction. While it is a great solution that fits both single diners and large groups, it does not offer the intimacy that some customers look for;
• Banquette seating: A large banquette that spreads along every inch of your walls will help you make the most of every bit of space;
• Free-standing tables: They can be moved and changed around to fit two customers, four, or more, according to the reservations;
• Bar seating: The perfect way to take advantage of otherwise unutilized space. It will be a great spot to seat single diners, so they don’t take up a whole table or a waiting area for people who didn’t make a reservation.

Read more: How to Create an Effective Restaurant Seating Strategy

3. Improve traffic flow by using technology

With a small space, it will be quite difficult for many servers to try to squeeze in through the tables at the same time. One of the best small restaurant interior design ideas is to utilize technology to make the experience better, both for customers and employees.

A good example is on-premises ordering. With GloriaFood, you can create a QR code menu for free and allow customers to browse the menu, order, and pay, all from their phones. All they have to do is scan the QR code that is on the table, which takes virtually no space.

You can even create a different QR code for each table to make the order processing easier for the kitchen staff and the servers. Here’s how:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpU2s7Li3W0

Clients will enjoy the fast service that doesn’t involve trying to flag down a busy server. And you will be able to turn tables faster and serve more customers in a day, which is very important when you have a small space.

Another way to increase speed in a small space is to use an efficient POS system like the one from GloriaFood that enables employees to take orders and payments as fast as possible with no unnecessary delays.

4. Focus your décor vertically

Most of your floor space will be dedicated to seating, so you can serve more customers. Therefore, you should use décor where it won’t impede traffic flow, vertically, on the walls. Check out these tips:

• Don’t overcrowd the space: Even if some décor styles are maximalist, a small space can easily become claustrophobic when there is a décor item on every single inch. Try to focus on a few key items and place them in the clients’ line of view;
• Create a green wall: Add a garden ambiance inside by having a living wall with different local plants that thrive inside;
• Use hanging planters: Placed at a height that no customers can reach when they are standing, to prevent accidents.

5. Use light colors to make the space seem bigger

When it comes to small restaurant interior design ideas, any designer knows that color is the key. The right color can make a space feel bright and bigger, and the wrong one will make it appear even smaller.

Therefore, to make your small restaurant more spacious, stick to light and neutral colors. They go great with rustic and natural elements that you can use for seating and décor. For example, a light-colored wood for the table and a lot of green plants for décor.

If you want to add a pop of color that will make people hungry, go for red, yellow, and orange. You can use them as accents on cushions, vases, or artwork.

Read more: How to Take Advantage of Restaurant Color Psychology

6. Take advantage of mirrors to visually enlarge the space

Another trick for making a small space appear bigger is to use mirrors to reflect the available light. Therefore, place a big mirror on the opposite wall to your window to make the space seem brighter without additional lighting.

Speaking of lighting, if you want to create a cozy atmosphere, avoid big white lights that will make your restaurant look devoid of personality. Instead, opt for smaller lighting fixtures placed in key spots to create an inviting ambiance.

7. Utilize sound-absorbing materials to improve acoustics

When you’re searching for small restaurant interior design ideas, your main focus should be on how customers will feel while dining at your place. And this includes the level of noise.

When the location is small, a lot of people talking at the same time will immediately become very noisy, which can affect the dining experience. To prevent this from happening, try to:

• Use acoustic panels: On the ceiling and on the walls to absorb some of the sound, much like in a sound studio. You can now find a variety of colors and designs for acoustic panels, so you can choose ones that fit your aesthetic;
• Include upholstered furniture: This has the added benefit of being very comfortable. Your clients will surely appreciate the effort;
• Add curtains: Not only do they create a more intimate ambiance, but they can also absorb noise, even if they are drawn.

8. Expand your restaurant outside

If the space permits and you can legally extend your business outside, why not take advantage of the extra seating possibility? People love eating outside during the warm months and will choose your place over other restaurants without a patio.

Follow these tips to ensure the dining experience is as pleasant outside as inside:

• Provide shade: With the use of umbrellas to make the tables usable even in the middle of the day, when the sun is usually scorching;
• Make the temperature comfortable: Provide heating and blankets when the temperatures drop and fans when it becomes too hot;
• Separate the patio space: You can use plants to create a clear demarcation line between where your patio ends and where the public space begins.

Read more: How to Boost Restaurant Sales During Patio Season

9. Create a separate space for take-out orders

The truth is that you will find it hard to make a big profit when you can only serve a limited number of clients a day. To increase sales, you must start selling your food online. If you want to have control over the whole process and save money, use the free online ordering system from GloriaFood.

It is easy and fast to set up, and you can have it running on your website by the end of the day. Simply follow these steps to set it up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLHOzfSHPgA

Once you’ve enabled people to place online orders, you need to make it easy for them to do so. Therefore, create a separate space dedicated to delivery riders who come to pick up orders, so they don’t end up crowding all the space and making it impossible for servers and other clients to move around.

Final words

With the small restaurant interior design ideas mentioned above, you will be able to make your location seem bigger and brighter. With a few key pieces of furniture, technology, and décor choices, your space will be the perfect place for your target audience.